At Florala City Wetland Park, elevated boardwalks along the shore of Lake Jackson wind through cypress forest and palmetto scrub. From there, you can enjoy views of waterfowl, gulls, songbirds, ospreys, bald eagles and anhingas. Which species you see varies by season. Birdwatchers can also experience the park’s shoreline vegetation here.
Water Landscapes and Recreation
Lake Jackson in Florala has two public swimming areas and a public boat ramp. Frank Jackson State Park covers 2,050 acres around 1,000-acre Lake Jackson near Opp in Covington County. The lake is specifically stocked and managed for largemouth bass, bream, crappie and catfish. The park has 32 RV sites with electrical hookups; camping is also permitted at these sites. Check reservations before your trip.
The Open Pond Recreation Area offers developed camping, picnic facilities, hiking, fishing and boating. Blue Lake combines swimming and fishing with picnic areas and restrooms. The boat ramp there is intended for boats powered by electric motors or paddles. Check Blue Lake’s facilities before you arrive.
Gantt Reservoir covers approximately 2,700 acres and has 21 miles of shoreline. It is used mainly for boating, swimming and water skiing; a public boat ramp is located on Highway 29 in the Clearview Community. Seven public recreation facilities are available on Gantt and Point A Lakes. The Point A Lake Fishing Pier is accessible; covered picnic tables and a boat ramp are located beside it. The Point A Park Day Use Facility also includes a boat dock, fishing pier, parking, a covered picnic area, restrooms and a sandy beach.
Hiking, Cycling and Paddling
The Conecuh Trail is 20 miles long and is rated an easy-to-moderate hiking trail. About 10 miles are open to mountain bikes. The trail passes through wetlands with carnivorous plants. Buck Pond and Ditch Pond are natural sinkhole ponds managed for public fishing and offer easy access to the Conecuh Trail. Check trail and access conditions before your trip.
Boggs & Boulders covers 2,000 acres and has 250 miles of trails, more than 160 miles of which are ATV trails. The natural, spring-fed Cool Pool at Boggs & Boulders stays at a constant temperature of 65 °F. Swimming in the pool is seasonal, so check operating conditions before your trip.
The Sepulga River Canoe Trail offers a wilderness experience when kayaking or canoeing on deep water, between limestone walls and Class 1 rapids. Kayaking and canoeing here are warm-weather activities and also depend on river conditions. The options are quite different: at the lake, swimming areas and a boat ramp are among the main features, while the Sepulga River offers a river trip with the rapids described above.
Culture and History in Andalusia and Florala
The Church Street Cultural Arts Centre was built as a school between 1921 and 1923 and renovated in 2010 and 2011. Today, it houses the Andalusia Ballet Association and serves as a dance training facility. It also hosts music lessons and community theater rehearsals. The ballet association presents several performances each year and represents the community at workshops, festivals and competitions across the country.
The Three Notch Museum is housed in a historic railway station building dating to around 1899 in Andalusia. Exhibits on the grounds include a Norfolk Southern caboose, a CSX railcar and an L&N caboose. Springdale Estate is a large home from the early 1930s set on about four acres in central Andalusia. It can be booked through the current property management; confirm arrangements before your trip.
The Avant House, dating to around 1914–1920, is considered a well-preserved example of Classical Revival architecture in Covington County. In Florala, the historic downtown area and several houses on Fourth and Fifth Streets are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In Andalusia, Covington County Veterans’ Memorial Park features a 42-foot stainless-steel obelisk on a black granite base. A mural is located on the Clark-Cinema building on Andalusia’s central square; Wes Hardin is named as the artist.
Events with a Range of Themes
The Opp Rattlesnake Rodeo features snake shows, snake races, a car race, children’s activities and live music. It has been a major event in Opp for more than 60 years. Every July, the World Championship Domino Tournament is also held at the Kiwanis Center in Andalusia; it draws more than 300 participants from across the country.
A winter event in Andalusia features snow tubing, an ice rink, train rides, themed cabins and snow shows. Dates and operating details vary from year to year. Check current event dates when planning your trip.
Explore more destinations: Andalusia, Opp, Mobile, Clay County, Marengo County, Coffee County, Tallapoosa County, Clarke County.
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